Isabela Narváez, a 12-year-old girl from Venezuela, miraculously survived the collapse of the Residencias Caraballeda Sol building in La Guaira during the June 24 earthquakes. Tragically, her parents perished while shielding her with their bodies to protect her.
According to Univision Tampa Bay, as the building began to crumble, the apartment door was jammed, and Isabela's parents, Claudis and Fran, made the desperate decision to shield their daughter.
"Isabela, now a bit calmer, told us that the door wouldn't open and that her mom and dad protected her," shared Mariela Gari, Isabela's aunt, who resides in Tampa.
Isabela was among the five people rescued alive from the debris, a testament to her parents' bravery.
Separated by Distance and Tragedy
While Isabela remains in Venezuela, her older sister Antonella is grieving in Tampa, separated not only by miles but also by the inability to embrace her sole surviving immediate family member.
"It was so hard to speak with my mom one moment and then suddenly not be able to talk to her at all," Antonella expressed, her voice filled with emotion.
The family has urgently appealed to U.S. authorities for a humanitarian visa to facilitate the reunion of the two sisters.
The Call for Compassionate Action
"It feels so wrong because the family should be united now, and obviously my sister should be with me," Antonella declared.
Supporting their plea, the family highlights that the U.S. embassy in Caracas—closed for seven years and reopened on March 30—is now operational.
"The U.S. embassy in Caracas is functioning," a family member of the Narváez sisters stated in a video shared by Univision.
There's currently no specific humanitarian visa program for Venezuelans affected by the earthquake, but the family is asking for an exceptional measure given the tragedy's scale.
A Nation in Mourning
The Narváez sisters' story underscores the human impact of Venezuela's most devastating earthquake in over a century.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck just 39 seconds apart with epicenters in the state of Yaracuy. Official reports cite 2,295 deaths, 11,267 injuries, and 12,841 people displaced as of July 1, according to the Venezuelan government.
However, the UN estimates up to 50,000 people are missing following the quakes, while the citizen platform Encuéntralos reported over 71,000 individuals unaccounted for by July 1.
Six days after the disaster, hundreds of survivors remain in makeshift camps amid deteriorating sanitary conditions and uncertainty about their future.
On Wednesday, acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national mourning period of seven days, with flags at half-staff across public buildings nationwide.
"This family's hope is singular: that these two sisters will be reunited," summarized those close to Isabela and Antonella.
FAQs on the Narváez Sisters' Situation
What is the status of the U.S. embassy in Caracas?
The U.S. embassy in Caracas is operational after being closed for seven years. It reopened on March 30, facilitating visa processes.
Are there specific humanitarian visas for Venezuelan earthquake victims?
Currently, there is no specific humanitarian visa program for Venezuelans affected by the earthquake. The Narváez family is seeking an exceptional measure due to the tragedy's severity.
How many people are missing after the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The UN estimates up to 50,000 people are missing, while citizen platform Encuéntralos reports over 71,000 individuals unaccounted for as of July 1.